Method of roof repair

ABSTRACT

The invention is a method of roof repair in which a roof component is resurfaced using a bonding agent, granules and a sealing agent to recoat damaged roof covering components.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This utility patent claims priority to provisional patent 61/874,237filed on Sep. 5, 2013.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention concerns permanent spot-repair of roofing,including but not limited to, granule-coated asphalt shingled roofs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Roofs often sustain a substantial amount of granular coated asphaltshingle damage after a hail storm. Hail damage typically consists ofradial/circular areas of granule loss, which constitute latent damageand may affect the future performance and lifespan of the shingles.Granule loss can also be the result of material and/or installationdefects, natural weathering, foot traffic from maintenance, andmiscellaneous impact abuse.

Currently, the only options a property owner or insurance company haswhen faced with the replacement of roofing components are: a) replacethe entire roof surface, or b) replacing only the damaged shingles.

Typically, In order to obtain a representative sampling of hail distresson granular coated asphalt shingles, sample areas are used. The methodmost frequently used by insurance companies is to divide the roofsurface into 10′×10′ sections (known as “squares”). These areas areclosely evaluated to determine whether an entire roof replacement orindividual shingle replacement should be considered as more economicallyfeasible. The general process to replace individual damaged shinglesincludes unsealing the adhesive strip on the damaged shingle and theshingle(s) on the first and second course immediately above the damagedshingle.

The nails in the damaged shingle and in the shingle(s) on the courseimmediately above that also penetrate the damaged shingle are removed.After installation, the replacement shingle and all loosened tabs arehand-sealed with an asphalt adhesive.

Depending on its location on the roof, this process requiresmanipulation of two to four other shingles in addition to the damagedshingle. Because this repair method affects many adjacent shingles,compromises the original watertight membrane and oftentimes results in acolor mismatch due to pigmentation fading of the original shingles.Insurance companies with no other viable alternative, typically elect toreplace the entire roof covering. Replacement of the entire roof shinglemembrane is often an expensive proposition that can take days tocomplete.

Because of this “repair by replace” practice, annually billions ofpounds of roofing shingles are dumped in landfills accounting for 5% ofall construction related waste. Landfilling asphalt shingles contributesto a series of environmental problems. Asphalt shingles are madeexclusively of petroleum products which take centuries to decompose, donot compact well taking up valuable landfill space, and create caps inlandfills causing harmful gases such as methane to develop that must betreated for many years after the disposal. Construction waste is alsoknown to contribute to air pollution and global warming because ofemissions associated with transportation, compaction, and wastedecomposition. Finding alternative solutions to landfilling bulkyconstruction waste such as asphalt roofing shingles, can eliminateapproximately 1.7 million metric tons of harmful carbon dioxideemissions. Many states have banned or are considering banning thedisposal of asphalt shingles because of their effect on the environment.

Insurance companies, without a viable alternative to large-scale roofreplacements, are forced to pay higher claim costs due to material,labor and disposal fees, leading to higher premiums paid by policyholders.

Insurance companies, homeowners and roofing contractors need a more costeffective and environmentally sensitive way to repair roofs in damagedareas.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a method of roof repair that employs a bondingagent, granules and a sealing agent to recoat damaged granularroof-covering components.

This process eliminates the need to replace the roofing components byusing proprietary bonding agents that are applied directly to thedamaged areas, and granules that can be applied to very closely matchthe existing roofing component color and texture. This method can beaccomplished at a fraction of the cost and time normally expended in atotal roof replacement.

Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art upon reference to the followingdetailed description.

Note: As this invention concerns only a process, and the inventionresides solely in coating an article of known and conventionalcharacter, no drawings are necessary or required. 35 U.S.C. §113, MPEP601.01(f).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of is the presentdisclosure are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated thatthe present disclosure provides many applicable inventive concepts,which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. Thedisclosure is primarily described and illustrated hereinafter inconjunction with various embodiments of the presently-described systemsand methods. The specific embodiments discussed herein are, however,merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the disclosure anddo not limit the scope of the disclosure.

This process eliminates the need of replacing existing granular coatedroof surfacing components. This could significantly reduce the amount ofasphalt roofing material that ends up in landfills and environmentalissues that are created as a result. This process is also a much morecost effective way for insurance companies and property owners alike toreplace roofing components with a product of like quality,craftsmanship, and material as the original. This cost savings willpotentially be evidenced in lower claim costs for insurance companiesand potentially passed through as lower homeowners' premiums forconsumers.

This process can allow homeowners and contractors to repair damagedroofing components in a manner which is not yet available. This processis useful, in that it will eliminate billions of tons of waste frombeing dumped in landfills and will save insurance companies andpolicyholders billions of dollars, not to mention the trickle-downeffect this process will have on the economy.

One embodiment of the invention includes the process:

-   1. identifying damaged roof components;-   2. applying a bonding agent to damaged areas;-   3. applying matching color and texture granules to damaged areas;-   4. applying a sealing agent.

The bonding agent is applied to the damaged area. The bonding agentadheres to the existing roof component and also acts as a filler, in thecase of a hail impression or impact mark. This is accomplished byspreading the bonding agent smoothly over the damaged area creating asmooth surface for the application of the granules. The granules areplaced in the bonding agent prior to the material setting up. As thebonding agent hardens, the granules attach permanently to the bondingagent as well as the roof material substrate. The granules act as aninsulator, heat reflector and to keep the underlying roofing componentsfrom drying out which can cause premature failure. Once the formerprocess is allowed to cure properly, a protective sealer is applied tothe affected area. This sealer adheres to the granules, bonding agentand existing roof substrate. The sealing component leaves a protectivesurface film that helps stop granule loss, cracking, curling and leakingand extends the useful life of the component.

This process could be used in any application where granules are used toprotect a surface from moisture, heat, light, and impact.

The inventor claims:
 1. A process of repairing roofs, comprising: a.identifying damaged roof components; b. applying a bonding agent todamaged areas; c. covering the damaged areas with granules;
 2. A processof repairing roofs as in claim 1, further comprising the additionalstep: d. applying a sealing agent.
 3. A process of repairing roofs as inclaim 1, further comprising the additional steps: d. compacting thegranules into the bonding agent e. applying a sealing agent.
 4. Aprocess of repairing roofs, comprising: a. identifying damaged roofcomponents; b. applying a bonding agent to damaged areas; c. applyingfibered mesh in the bonding agent d. covering the damaged areas withgranules; e. applying a sealing agent.
 5. A process of repairing roofs,comprising: a. identifying damaged roof components; b. applying abonding agent to damaged areas; c. identifying granules with the colorand texture of the damaged areas; d. covering the damaged areas with theidentified granules; e. applying a sealing agent.